Renovation Brings Life Back to Historic Brown Mansion

On a pleasant summer night, Duneland area residents gathered to celebrate the upcoming renovation of the Brown Mansion. The project will restore its grand, wraparound front porch. Thursday’s groundbreaking ceremony in Chesterton drew around 70 attendees eager to see the transformation of the mansion.

The project will also include the construction of a new barn-like structure to house the Duneland History Center, previously known as the Westchester Township History Museum. Members of the Westchester Public Library Board of Trustees attended the ceremony. Heather Chaddock, executive director of the library, expressed gratitude for the clear weather following Monday’s storm, acknowledging the optimism required to plan the event amidst the aftermath of downed trees.

Built in 1885, the Brown Mansion is a notable example of Victorian architecture, earning a spot on the National Register of Historic Places. Originally a family home, it later hosted the offices of the Westchester School District and Duneland Schools. In 2024, the Westchester Public Library took full ownership of the building and planned its restoration, aiming to relocate the museum’s exhibits and offices to the new barn structure that mirrors the property’s original design.

The renovation, overseen by Berglund Construction, estimates a $6 million budget and projects completion by next spring or summer. Justin Martinson, president of the library board, recalled fond childhood visits to the mansion, enjoying snacks in the basement and admiring the ballroom’s ornate woodwork. He emphasized the library board’s fiscal prudence in saving for this project.

The new barn will enhance artifact display and conservation. The mansion will include modern amenities to ensure compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act standards, allowing broader community access. Martinson highlighted the chance for visitors to experience the history firsthand.

Architect Jeff Schroeder from Moake Park Group Inc. described the effort to restore the mansion as “bringing back her jewelry,” reflecting its original Victorian elegance. Without original blueprints, they relied on old photos to recreate features like the front porch and cupola. Schroeder praised Chesterton for preserving such historic structures alongside modern developments.

Jane Walsh-Brown, the museum’s first curator, was proud to witness the groundbreaking. She reflected on the journey from organizing the museum in the Baugher Center’s basement to realizing the mansion’s public opening, applauding the library board’s vision.

Jim Woods reports freelance for the Post-Tribune.